Program Overview

The city of Pforzheim (population 117,000) is located in the southern Black Forest region of Germany near Stuttgart. Hochschule Pforzheim University dates back to 1877 when the School of Design was founded. Today the University has more than 6,100 students and 200 professors, and it is the third largest university of applied sciences in the State of Baden-Württemberg - and one of the biggest in Germany.

Pforzheim University is characterized by the high academic qualifications and practical experience of the faculty, as well as by the intensive cooperation with the surrounding business community and beyond, giving students a unique study experience.

The Summer School at Hochschile Pforzheim University, Engineers Made in Germany (EMIG), combines technical coursework, language study, and cultural excursions to provide engineering students with a unique learning experience. Students will take three courses: a German language course, Production Management & Supply Chain Management, and Lecture Series Engienering in Manufacturing. The two technical courses have a focus on the German Automotive Industry.

The Production Management & Supply Chain Management course covers three main topics:

Production Management in the German Automotive Industry

Supply Chain Management in the German Automotive Industry

Management & Leadership Skills

There are several areas covered in the Lecture Series Engineering in Manufacturing: Production Techniques in the German Automotive Industry, Management Skills in the German Automotive Industry, Laser Materials Processing in Automotive Production, Robotics in the Automotive Industry, Innovation Management in the Automotive Industry, Sustainable Mobility in the Automotive Sector, Intercultural Engineering, and Automotive Bus Systems.

Many site visits are included in the program such as the Mercedes-Benz plant, Porsche Museum and plant, SAP, Daimler Museum, European Patent Office, or HUGO BOSS. City visits include Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Munich, and Berlin.

Program Quicklinks

Education Abroad Credits

You will receive credit for all academic courses taken at this institution, and all of your grades from abroad will count toward your Penn State cumulative GPA. You may not take any courses overseas on a Pass/Fail basis. Students may not take sport or physical activity courses (e.g. sailing, bowling, yoga, etc.) abroad. These courses will not be credited at Penn State.

Program courses (enroll in 9 credits):

Lecture Series Engineering in Manufacturing (PSU course number I E 399)

German language (PSU course number will depend on the level of language that each student takes)

Course Substitution

The petition for course substitution process is handled between the student and academic adviser.

Industrial Engineering students can petition the engineering courses to count as a technical elective and an engineering elective.

Mechanical Engineering students can petition the engineering courses to count as an engineering technical elective and a general technical elective.

Electrical Engineering students can petition the engineering courses to fulfill the Engineering/Science elective and/or the Related elective.

Pre-requisites

Successful applicants will satisfy the pre-requisites established by the program.

Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA

Sophomore class standing or higher at time of study

This program is open only to students in the Penn State College of Engineering

Housing and Meals

All EMIG Summer School participants live together in shared apartments with single, double, or triple rooms. The apartments offer fully equipped kitchens, free WIFI, television, bed sheets, washing machines, and drying facilities. They are located in the city center with bakeries, supermarkets and cafés in the near vicinity. Pforzheim University can be easily reached with public transport ticket which is included in the fee. A food allowance of 10 Euro a day is included in the program fee.

Program Costs

For more information on program costs, please be sure to review the Summer Budget Sheet. These budget sheets include information on costs that are billable to the bursar bill, as well as estimated additional costs. Costs vary by program, so it is important to review this information carefully.

Due to the early planning by our partners, if you are accepted and commit to participate on Pforzheim Engineers Made in Germany and later decide to withdrawal from the program, you will be financially liable for paying the EA Admin fee and the entirety of the billed cost to Penn State. As we use your tuition in combination with the Education Abroad Program Fee to pay for billed costs you will be giving us permission to post an additional program fee for the balance of the program cost to your bursar account should you withdraw after committing to the program. Only commit to this program if you truly understand the financial liability you are accepting. Review the budget sheet for a full list costs and to review the withdraw policy.

Please note that tuition rates may vary depending on major and class standing.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Penn State students studying through Education Abroad can use most components of their existing financial aid packages toward the cost of study abroad. This may include federal and state grants, VA educational benefits, federal student loans, and University scholarships and grants. Notable exceptions include work-study awards and some athletic scholarships.

The University Office of Global Programs also administers a number of grants and scholarships. Eligibility is based on academic excellence and/or financial need. There is also funding available for study abroad programs in diverse locations and for students from diverse backgrounds. In most cases, applicants should have a current year FAFSA on file with the Office of Student Aid. Funding opportunities may also be available through Penn State academic departments. For detailed information on financial aid and scholarship opportunities and application procedures, please visit theFunding Study Abroadsection of the Global Penn State website.

For More Information

For more information about programs and education abroad at Penn State, we encourage you to meet with or contact our Peer Advisers. These study abroad returnees can explain program options, give an overview of the education abroad process, as well as provide information about his/her program. If you are not at University Park, contact your Campus Global Representative.

To learn more about the specifics of each program, schedule an appointment with the education abroad adviser for this program.

For the inside scoop on life in a foreign country, be sure to check out the Student Spotlights of Penn State students currently studying abroad.

How to Apply

If you would like to participate on this study abroad program, you will need to apply to Penn State Education Abroad by clicking the "Apply Now" button on this page.

Please note that you will also be instructed to complete an application with the host provider as a part of your Penn State application either at time of application or upon acceptance.

Studying Abroad with a Disability

Many students with disabilities successfully study abroad each year. Please note that other cultures may have different attitudes and available accommodations regarding disabilities. While we cannot guarantee the accessibility of all program sites and locations, specific accommodations may be arranged in consultation with our office, the Student Disability Resources office, and our partners abroad. To prepare for success, students are strongly encouraged to research the country and program location to consider if and how they will manage their disabilities abroad in advance of selecting a program. Students with disabilities and other diverse backgrounds can begin their research on our Diversity Awareness Abroad page.